If you’ll be riding the Russian rails during your holiday, then no doubt you have several questions about the onboard services. To help you properly prepare for your adventure we’ve written a guide to the services included in the ticket price on different Russian trains, covering all bases from showers and internet to bedding and refreshments.
Food on board
Some train tickets in Russia have food included in the price, which is shown with an «У» printed on the ticket (which stands for the Russian word «услуги», meaning “services”). The meal depends on the train and carriage class. On sleeper trains, 2nd class tickets usually include a cold meal like a sandwich and bottle of water, or a hot meal for 1st class or VIP ticket holders. Some luxury trains like the Grand Express even provide a hotel-quality hot breakfast to their lucky travellers! Premium class ticket holders on high-speed trains like Sapsan, Strizh and Lastochka also receive a free meal, which changes depending on the time of day.
If a complimentary meal is not available, then you can visit the restaurant car. All Trans-Siberian trains have a restaurant car (serving Russian, Mongolian or Chinese cuisine depending on the route), as do most Moscow – St Petersburg tickets and the Sapsan and Strizh high speed trains.
Toiletry and travel kits
1st class ticket holders on long-distance and high-speed trains, as well as all classes of passenger on some famous trains (like the Red Arrow which travels from Moscow to St. Petersburg and Rossiya which travels from Moscow to Vladivostok) receive a free travel or toiletry set to make their journey as comfortable as possible. Depending on your ticket class and journey, this kit can comprise a toothbrush and toothpaste, slippers, tissues, disposable wipes, and mini sewing kit.
Bed linen
Passengers on board Russian sleeper trains are given fresh bedding, pillow and duvet when they travel, so there’s no need to worry about bringing your own pillows from home! 1st and 2nd class passengers on the best trains are greeted in their cabin by a freshly made bed, and can enjoy a night’s sleep on high-quality cotton bedsheets. If you’re travelling on a budget, then you’ll probably have to pay for your bed linen and make your own bed.
Toilet and shower
One of the factors that discourages international tourists from taking a long train journey is the on board facilities. But you shouldn’t stress – if you want a private shower and toilet, then the VIP cabins on branded trains like the Grand Express or Rossiya have the facilities that you desire. Aside from these luxury cabins, there are two European-style WCs at the end of each 1st, 2nd and 3rd class carriage on Russian trains, to be shared by the passengers. Cleanliness is usually not a problem as the provodnik (train attendant) keeps things spick and span.
As for high-speed trains, each carriage contains one or more European-style toilet and there is a disabled toilet on each train. On regular suburban passenger trains (elektrichka) there may not be any toilets at all, although you can use the facilities for free at each station if you present your ticket to the WC attendant.
Internet
As well as creature comforts like showers and hot meals, you can also access the internet on board many Russian trains. This is the ideal way to catch up with friends and family, watch movies, or post some pictures before arriving at your destination. Internet is available on some long-distance sleeper trains like the Red Arrow, Grand Express and Rossiya train, although not to all carriage classes. Bear in mind that internet on the Trans-Siberian is likely to be patchy. All Sapsan tickets (with the exception of Basic class tickets) provide free unlimited Wi-Fi to passengers, and 1st class Strizh passengers can also access the internet for free.
